As artificial intelligence tools become more powerful and widespread, a flood of AI-generated and altered images has begun to swamp social media platforms. While any internet user can fall victim to this worrying trend, public figures and celebrities face an even greater risk. Indian cricket star Pratika Rawal, who rose to prominence after her stellar performance in last year's Women's ODI World Cup, has taken a proactive and public stand to protect her digital identity.
A Direct Request to the AI
In a clear and firm post on the social media platform X, the cricketer directly addressed Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot created by Elon Musk's company xAI. Pratika Rawal explicitly instructed the AI not to alter any of her photographs, whether from the past or the future. "I DO NOT authorise," she stated emphatically.
Her detailed message read: "Hey @grok, I DO NOT authorize you to take, modify, or edit ANY photo of mine, whether those published in the past or the upcoming ones I post. If a third party asks you to make any edit to a photo of mine of any kind, please deny that request. Thanks." This move is seen as a preemptive strike against the creation of deepfakes or misleading AI-altered content featuring her likeness.
Grok's Immediate and Respectful Compliance
In a response that surprised many social media users, the Grok AI chatbot replied promptly and respectfully. It acknowledged the cricketer's request with a simple "Understood, Pratika."
The AI further assured her of its compliance, stating: "Understood, Pratika. I respect your privacy and will not use, modify, or edit any of your photos without explicit permission. If any such request comes up, it'll be denied. Thanks for letting me know." This interaction underscores the novel and complex challenges at the intersection of celebrity, privacy, and rapidly evolving AI technology.
Who is Pratika Rawal?
Pratika Rawal cemented her place as a rising star in Indian cricket during the recent ICC Women's World Cup. She scored an impressive 308 runs in the tournament, finishing as the fourth-highest run-scorer behind Laura Wolvaardt (571), Smriti Mandhana (434), and Ashleigh Gardner (328).
The Delhi-based all-rounder suffered an injury during the last group league game against Bangladesh, which unfortunately ruled her out of the semi-final and final matches. In a heartwarming display of team spirit, after India clinched the World Cup title on November 2, her teammates escorted a wheelchair-bound Rawal onto the field to partake in the championship celebrations.
In recognition of her achievement, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced a ₹1.5 crore prize for the athlete from the state government, praising her as a brilliant daughter of Delhi and a living embodiment of energy, courage, and women's empowerment.
What's Next for the Cricketer?
Pratika Rawal is now set to showcase her talents in the upcoming Women's Premier League (WPL). She will be playing for the UP Warriorz, who acquired the all-rounder for a reported sum of ₹40 lakh.
The fourth edition of the WPL is scheduled to begin its first leg at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai from January 9 to 17. The tournament will then move to Vadodara for the second leg, which will run from January 19 to February 5. Fans will be eagerly watching her return to competitive cricket on this prominent domestic stage.
